“You’re right, Michael. But the only other man I had an interest in left. Maybe I’ll hunt down Jonas.”
“Vic,” Derrick cautioned. “You know better than that.”
She glared at him. “Really? Why shouldn’t I, Derrick? You don’t like anyone around who questions your rules.”
“They’re not my rules—” Derrick shook his head, not wanting to revisit this same argument. A woman scorned was a woman scorned; it didn’t matter if she was a human or creatus evidently. “Do what you want, Vic. Just stay away from Kristina. She’s one of us now.”
“She’ll never be one of us,” she sneered.
Derrick decided he’d better leave before he did anything he’d regret. “We’ll discuss this, along with your appearance last night, at the meeting. He charged toward the door, needing to get as far away from her as possible. He’d always cared deeply for Victoria, but the moment she’d threatened Kristina, he felt as if he could kill her without a second thought. As he’d told Kristina repeatedly, nothing could ever come between them after they’ve fallen. Not even a lifelong friend.
He stepped outside again to get away from her and his brother.
The moment he saw his mother’s arm draped around Kristina’s shoulder, introducing her to everyone, his irritation moved to the recesses of his mind. Kristina did the obligatory nodding and smiling, but he could tell it was forced. She was rightly nervous. All of his assurances that she was safe and she’d nearly been attacked within seconds after their arrival.
He darted to the other side of her, kissing her cheek. “Hi. Sorry about that.”
Kristina turned her head, glaring at him. “You should have told me,” she hissed in a low whisper.
He didn’t want to embarrass her, but he had to remind her. “Um, Kristina, just so you know… Everyone heard you. There’s no such thing as whispering in my world.”
Kristina’s eyes widened. As she looked around the property, her eyes filled with tears, but she lifted her head to restrain them. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. It’s a lot to take in, I know. And you’re right; I should have told you. We’ll talk about it later though, okay?” He wiped away a tear. Knowing Victoria could hear him, he stated clearly, “Vic won’t bother you again, I promise.”
He heard Victoria harrumph from inside the barn, but suppressed a snarl in front of Kristina, since she obviously couldn’t hear her. He never imagined that Vic would turn violent. Upset, yes, he assumed that. But if Michael hadn’t restrained her when he did and she’d launched across the lawn, she could have killed Kristina with one blow, and then his life would be over. Creatus didn’t recover after losing a partner. They usually ended up moving away from the family, wishing for death. Suicide wasn’t common, but they begged death to take them.
Kristina nodded and attempted a smile. “Your mom has been introducing me to everyone. How come you didn’t tell me?”
“I didn’t want to influence your decision in any way.” He picked up his mother’s hand. “I’m sorry I didn’t get to introduce you properly. Mom, this is Kristina Heskin.”
His mother released an airy laugh, squeezing her arms around Kristina’s shoulder. “Sabrina Ashton, as you already know.”
“Actually…” Kristina laughed, pink tinting her cheeks. “I didn’t know your last name was Ashton. I like that.”
“Oops.” Derrick shrugged as his mother glared at him. As a distraction, he glanced over his shoulder for his father, who stepped toward him immediately, a smile on his face. He didn’t think his father would be upset once he saw Kristina. Their only concern was her drinking, but he assured them she’d want to clean up. Derrick knew she wasn’t an alcoholic; she’d just been looking for a means of escape. And if she hadn’t said anything about him all these years, why would she start now? “And my father Lynford Ashton, but everyone calls him Lyn.”
Kristina flashed a genuine smile. “Nice to meet you. Both of you. And didn’t you mention you had a brother?” Kristina asked.
“Yes, well… Michael’s—”
“Right here, Bro,” Michael called, landing in front of Kristina, not concerned with showing his ability, which most of the group rarely demonstrated. Of course, Derrick had shown off the previous evening too.
“Oh!” She recoiled, but then seemed to catch her bearings. “Um… is everything all right? I didn’t mean to cause derision in the family,” Kristina offered, beaming at his younger brother. Derrick felt a pang of jealousy surge through him because of her words about being with another of his kind yesterday, even though he knew nothing could ever come between them. But his brother was a good-looking,
Michael lifted her hand to his lips. “Everything is fine, Kris. Welcome to the family. I hate to do this to you, but Derrick and I have to talk. Do you mind if I steal him away for a moment?”
Kristina retracted her hand, subconsciously wiping it on her jeans. Derrick couldn’t help the laugh that threatened to escape. Michael would be devastated that his charms hadn’t worked on her. He was obviously testing whether she’d actually fallen. Few women were able to resist his brother’s magnetism. Even though he supposedly didn’t like their species, he had no problem taking what he wanted from a human woman.
“Kristina, why don’t you and mom take a tour of the house and get to know each other while I talk with the family?” Her face dropped. “We’ll be fifteen minutes at best,” he rushed his weak explanation.
She inhaled a breath, turning to Sabrina. “Okay, I guess. I would actually love a tour of the house. It’s lovely.”
Sabrina wrapped her arm around Kristina again and strolled off toward the house.
Derrick walked toward the barn. “Let’s get this over with,” he called to the rest of the group.
His father, brother, and every other creatus, men and women, except those who remained with young children, followed Derrick inside the barn. The barn, which was actually an office, served as the center for all their meetings.
Victoria balanced on a rafter, but dropped when he rolled his eyes. She made a wide loop around him, plopping down on one of the chairs closest to the door. “First off, Derrick, what is it you keep accusing me of?”
Derrick ignored her while everyone found a chair or an empty railing to sit on or leaned up against a post. Derrick perched on the edge of his brother’s desk, while Michael stood beside him.
Every eye focused on Derrick. Even though they knew Michael would discuss news of a possible rogue, it seemed they all had more interest in a new human family member. “So, I assume you all met Kristina,” he started. Heads nodded, most respectful, a few not so much. “This should come as no surprise as I’ve discussed her with you several times.”
“You also said you’d wait until she was older, more mature,” Dean, an elder he’d always thought of as an Uncle, reproached. “She’s a liability, Derrick. You should have talked with us before bringing her here. If you want to endanger yourself and your family, that’s one thing. To have her see us without our consent is another.”
Derrick pursed his lips, nodding in assent. “Fair comment, Dean. And I apologize. In hindsight, I guess I should have met you alone.”
The group glanced around, nodding in agreement, and Derrick noticed the overconfident grin spread across Vic’s face. Did she think they’d banish him or Kristina because of it? That wouldn’t help matters. He’d always gone with the idea that it was better to beg forgiveness than to plead for mercy.
Dean leaned back in his chair and jutted his chin in Derrick’s direction. “That said… Kristina seems like a wonderful girl. If she hasn’t mentioned any of your peculiar antics in fourteen years, I’m certain she won’t start now.”
Victoria’s arrogance fell flat and she twisted in her chair as if wanting to make her escape.
Derrick tore his eyes away from the woman who used to be his best friend. He’d told Victoria everything, had always been upfront with her. They’d shared stories, experimented with life and love. He shook the thoughts from his head, feeling as if he’d been using her. “Kristina won’t talk to anyone. She has fallen for me, as I have for her.”
A few surprised gapes and audible grunts traveled throughout the barn, echoing in the rafters.
